Do atheists deserve the same rights and privileges as Christian Americans? (Our Turn column)

Although America was built upon Christian values, it was also built
upon acceptance that comes from the pillars of freedom of choice and
freedom of religion. This means that regardless of their beliefs, all
Americans should be accepted and should receive the same rights and
privileges as everyone else.

Since its beginning, our country has been hailed as a land of
opportunity. People have come to America for centuries seeking freedom
and escaping persecution. To deny atheists the same rights and
privileges as Christians would be highly un-American. So I strongly
believe that American atheists deserve the same rights and privileges
even though America was built upon Christian values.

Christianity teaches you should love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you. So, it can be assumed that Christians would therefore
refrain from persecuting any particular group or religion, including
atheists. To deny atheists their rights based solely on their beliefs
would be a form of persecution, and would go against the values that
have kept America strong and prosperous for so many years. Therefore,
atheists deserve the same rights and privileges as everyone else.

Like others, atheists have helped to shape our country. They have
contributed to scientific and medical discoveries, politics,
entertainment, the arts, business and many other areas. They have
worked hard for their place in America and have provided much to this
country and therefore deserve the same rights as other Americans. To
deny atheists these rights would be highly unethical.

It has already been accepted both legally and socially that members
of religions other than Christianity have the same rights and privileges
as Christians. Therefore, non-religious people should as well.

To deny atheists their rights would be un-American, un-Christian, and unethical.

Katie Burnham is a senior at Plainwell High School.

Onnika Bell

By Onnika Bell

The United States is known as a melting pot because of its wide range
of citizens. The reason such a large variety of people live here is
because of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as freedom of
religion which allows all citizens to believe in or deny any religion
without punishment.

That includes atheists who do not believe in any god. They simply
choose to live their lives without affiliation to a set system of
regulations based on an all-powerful being. These nonbelievers should
not be treated any differently than believers.

The United States was established by settlers who wished to practice
their own religion without discrimination. To ensure this freedom, the
First Amendment specifically denied the federal government from
prohibiting the free exercise of any religion.

The United States was not based on a particular religion but rather
the idea of all religions joining together in a peaceful union.

Christians who would treat atheists as a less worthy group of people
would be disobeying the word of God, such as that found in the Bible in
Luke 6:37, "Judge not, and you will not be judged. Condemn not, and you
will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." This
statement shows that a true Christian should not judge anyone, including
atheists.

What leads Christians to believe they are superior to other
religions? How can they expect religious equality for themselves, if
they refuse to show tolerance for other views? Choosing to deny atheists
their guaranteed rights and equalities is not only illogical but also
unethical.

Prejudice of any form has been known to lead to mass genocide. We
study history in order to ensure disasters are not repeated. Prejudice
is a major part of our history as a nation.

How then, seeing what a terrible impact prejudice had, would people
choose to begin a whole new prejudicial epidemic? This would not only
allow history to repeat itself, but encourage it.

Onnika Bell is a senior at Three Rivers High School.

Nicholas Tegethoff

By Nicholas Tegethoff

"E Pluribus Unum," inscribed on the Great Seal of the United States,
represents one of the ideas behind our country's founding, that of unity
within diversity. A country composed of citizens from many ethnic and
religious backgrounds cannot preserve unity unless its people are
dedicated to something greater than themselves. Unity requires a common
bond that holds people together.

For more than two centuries the
bond that has held America together is embodied in the principles of
the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these, are
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

This idea was the
fruit of the beliefs instilled in our Founding Fathers by their
religion, which for the majority was Christianity. America's founders
believed in two core Christian concepts: God created all people in his
image, showing love and mercy to all, and Christ's followers should, in
turn, treat others with equality and respect.

Written laws protecting the equal rights of all Americans were the
result of these Christian principles. In 1789, the Bill of Rights was
passed by Congress. The first article of the Bill of Rights protects
freedom of religion, stating: "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, passed by Congress in 1866,
ensures that no state should "deny to any person the equal protection of
the laws."

Based upon the Christian principles that shaped our country's laws,
all people, including atheists, have and deserve equal rights and
privileges. As a Christian, I will live and die standing for the right
of all men to be treated equally.

As an American, I will always be dedicated to the principles of
liberty which allow America to maintain the unity represented in the
Latin motto "E Pluribus Unum": out of many, one."

Nicholas Tegethoff is a home-schooled 11th grader.

The Young Editorial Staff is made up of 24 high school students from
15 southwestern Michigan high schools and the Home Education League. YES
is coordinated by freelance writer and editor Phyllis Rose. The
students pick their own discussion topics. The views expressed are
solely those of the students, not the Kalamazoo Gazette.